Post Office punishment

shiatsudave

Hi, has anyone else experienced discrimination from the Jobcentre if they opt for the post office card account?

I have just been made redundant and have signed on for JSA for the first time in almost a decade. Because I have made the choice to have my payments sent to the local post office (doing my bit for the community and ensuring that my bank does not discriminate against me for being unemployed as happened in the past when my cashpoint card was swallowed by a bank that shall remain nameless but rhymes with FatChest) I am being subject to interrogation and pressure to provide my bank details.

Latest idea from them is that if I do not consent to having my money paid into a bank instead of the post office, I shall have to sign weekly instead of fortnightly. It's a 20 mile round trip to my local jobcentre so this will naturally impact on my finances.

Any suggestions anyone?

McKneff

You shouldnt have a problem with fatchest if all youre doing is haveing money ffrom DWP Paid in.

or
Open a basic bank account elswhere and get your money paid into there. They would want documents though.

Or
go and sign on weekly

allen35

They would want to see bank statements to clarify entitlement to income based benefits, is this why?

MCGONIS

Hi. I recently came across someone who would not open a Post Office Card Account and was made to sign his declaration daily. This seemed to be a decision made locally and is not what happens in benefit offices normally.

The DWP pays something like £500 to the Post Office for one of these accounts to be opened.

I am unsure why your Jobcentre is doing this, but I don't deal directly anymore with Direct Payments.

I guess if you write to the manager of the office and ask for a written explanation, they will change their decision.

I have dealt with people claiming JSA who say they will not use their bank [or will deny having a bank account despite just leaving paid employment] as they don't want their bank knowing they are on benefit and I could never understand that one really.

Surely £130 per fortnight going through an account is better than nothing going through the account. Everyone at somepoint will have to claim benefit when they are between jobs. Even people that work in banks understand this.

Hope that helps a bit - but really, get the office to explain in writing and post back here what they say. I doubt that they will stick to this policy though if you do so.

Bye for now.

nannytone_2

i know that the post office card accounts actually cos more than a normal bank account to process the transaction. maybe this is why they are trying to deter people from using them?

Morglin

They are looking to change the Post Office card system:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12639420

Lin

Baldur

Morglin wrote: »

They are looking to change the Post Office card system:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12639420

Lin

Not according to your link:

The contract, which begins in 2012, does not affect the millions of people who have their benefits paid directly into their bank or Post Office Card account.

The change relates to cheque payments.